TORONTO -- Throws from third base present completely different angles than throws from shortstop.

The feet have to move in a different direction, often running backward, then sideways toward first base. Sure, the routine charge-and-throw is quite similar between third and short, but any plays to a third baseman's left require movement that a shortstop would never make.

Xander Bogaerts is struggling with that play back and to his left. He's fielding the balls cleanly, but his throws have often been off-target.

He's played 38 games (with 94 attempts) at third base this season and made five throwing errors (maybe a few more had first baseman Mike Napoli not bailed him out with a fine stretch or crafty scoop every now and then). At shortstop, Bogaerts rarely struggled with his throws, making just three throwing errors in 54 games (207 attempts).

When Bogaerts went to field a routine groundball off the Rogers Centre turf in the sixth inning Wednesday night, he ran backwards, then sideways, then uncorked a wild throw to first as the go-ahead run scored. The Toronto Blue Jays held onto their lead and won the game, 6-4.

"I recognize that there's a number of errors there at third base in the games he's played," said manager John Farrell. "I can't say it's for exactly one reason that links them all together. It's not because of effort and intensity which we goes about his play."

It's never been about effort for Bogaerts. He picked up third base on the fly late last season, was called up to the majors in September and played an almost-flawless third base throughout the postseason.

Fielding instructor Brian Butterfield commended Bogaerts for his work in spring training, then said proudly that he shouldn't play third base again. Bogaerts needed to play shortstop. He showed up early and fielded hundreds of grounders under the hot Florida sun. He made lightyears of progress, Butterfield kept saying.

"He’s not there yet, but he’s gotten incrementally better (at shortstop) and that’s what we’re looking for," Butterfield said on May 20. "I feel like he’s going to be a big league shortstop, I really do."

When Stephen Drew was signed in early June, Bogaerts was told to move to third for the remainder of the season. It hasn't been easy, and he didn't love the decision, but he's given it an honest shot, putting in early work and trying to get better. He's made some fantastic catches at the hot corner. He's been almost perfect on the bare-handed play. But he's botched too many routine plays.

Bogaerts' path from third base to a groundball in Wednesday's game

According to Inside Edge fielding stats provided by fangraphs.com, Bogaerts has converted just 86 percent of routine plays at third base compared to 96 percent of routine plays at shortstop.

Napoli, who made an attempt to scoop Bogaerts' errant throw on Wednesday night but came up empty, explained that it was a tough play with Jose Reyes' sprinting down the first base line. It required good footwork.

"You have to be quick with it," Napoli said. "(Reyes) being quick down the line, it’s a play you have to get your feet under you and be quick."

Bogaerts' footwork was one of the areas Butterfield complimented while working with the 21-year-old at shortstop this spring. At third base, it's still a work in progress.

When Drew was signed, the Red Sox promised Bogaerts they viewed him as a shortstop long-term. "That was explained very clearly to Xander," Farrell said. "This shouldn't take away, in his mind, what our long-term view of him is. Xander is still a very good-looking young player and a good-looking young shortstop."

Perhaps learning third base won't affect his ability to go back and play shortstop. But it's a completely different throw that requires different footwork.